Newport County have assured fans that weekend opponents Aston Villa will play a strong side at Rodney Parade.

Concerned Exiles fans had been worried what quality of side the Premier League side might field in South Wales – but County have now received assurances from Villa.

A statement on Newport’s official website said: “Whilst you can never be certain in pre-season due to changes of plans, schedules, fitness and the progress of players, what sort of side any team will field, Villa have confirmed that the squad they bring will contain a presence of Premiership experience.”

Before then, however, Justin Edinburgh’s men welcome a Reading XI to Rodney Parade tonight (7.30pm).

But County must do so without top striker Aaron O’Connor, who could be out for up to two months as he undergoes surgery

A groin injury, which hampered him last season, has flared up again and O’Connor will now miss the start of the Exiles’ League Two campaign which kicks-off on August 3 with the visit of Accrington Stanley.

Edinburgh said: “We’ll get Aaron in early this week if we can and then take it from there.

“You can look back in hindsight and say we should have done it earlier, but he came back (from his summer break) and looked great and scored a hat-trick.

“But the problem has come back. We know we’ll get him back in four to eight weeks and he’ll be good to go.”

County carried on their impressive pre-season form with a 3-0 win at Conference South side Havant & Waterlooville last weekend.

The game saw one boost for Edinburgh with the appearance from the bench of Max Porter after more than seven months out injured.

Tonight sees Newport’s first home friendly against Reading who are back in the Championship this season following relegation.